Are you looking for stress relief? No drugs, no meditation? Have you ever thought about taking up a craft? In fact, doing a craft is a prescription for good health. And more importantly you do not need to be good at the craft to benefit!
Imagine feeling more relaxed. See yourself smiling, pleased with your efforts. All this can be yours - once you start enjoying a hobby.
A craft can be any hand made project that you take pleasure in doing - it could be painting, needle work, knitting, home decoration, wood work. Medical studies have shown that there are physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits from having an active interest in crafting.
One study of 30 female heart patients reported in the American Journal Medical Association showed a significant decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and perspiration rate while the subjects completed a simple craft project.
Hobbies and crafts provide a distraction from the pressures and stresses of everyday life. When you're engaged in your craft project your mind is concentrating on the project, this stops you thinking about everyday problems.
There is a tremendous feeling of satisfaction when you have completed a craft project. The final piece is all your own work. It is good to have something tangible, something that you can hold and admire.
Another major benefit is that it keeps your brain active - learning is important for keeping your brain "in shape". The size and structure of the neurons in your brain and the connections between them actually change as you learn.
Crafts are an intellectual activity which helps to keep your brain healthy. You can exercise your brain as you enjoy your craft. A win-win situation!
Many of the finalists in the Learning in Later Life Campaign 2000 to find England's oldest and most inspiring learners had crafts, especially painting, as their pastimes.
England's Oldest Learner was Fred Moore who was then aged 107 years. Fred continued with art classes until he died at the age of 109. The manager of his residential home said "Fred was a remarkable chap. He kept his memory, going back to the death of Queen Victoria, and always retained his great sense of humour."
Painting is an excellent hobby. It can be done both indoors and outdoors. You can paint by yourself or with others in an art group.
So the message is clear - take up a new hobby and keep your brain in shape. It is never too late to start. Local night classes offer a range of options. Visit the painting section at http://www.learnanddo.com for a free preview of The Acrylic Painting Course. This preview takes you step-by-step to completing your first painting.
Craft your way to a stress-free life!
Catherine Calder is the author of the Acrylic Painting Course, a No-Draw step-by-step course ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to paint. Sign up for a free report on How to Paint Abstract Pictures for Pleasure and Profit.
http://www.learnanddo.com/acrylic.asp
eco-friendly cleaning service Bannockburn ..Something the successful business person needs is - lots of... Read More
Stress is amazingly persistent, even seductive. We get used to... Read More
I learned a valuable lesson recently. A short while ago,... Read More
Recently I completed some new workshop engagements in addition to... Read More
The National Center for health statistics reported that in 1997,... Read More
I have yet to see a scientist talk about the... Read More
Everywhere I go, I hear the same unpleasant sentence repeated... Read More
1. The Law of GiftsRichard Bach, author of "Illusions" says... Read More
One of the hardest forms of stress to avoid is... Read More
Have you recently moved or started a new job? Do... Read More
These days, when people have become so conscious about what... Read More
Imagine driving down the road. You are driving with a... Read More
Life can offer us many challenges having to do with... Read More
The Rule of BalanceThere is more to life than work.... Read More
Anyone who has ever worked knows that stress is part... Read More
CHICAGO - According to a recent article in the September... Read More
"Watch your language."We all heard this admonition as kids and... Read More
No need to go spend money at a spa! There... Read More
In the body, the stress response is mediated by the... Read More
Stressed? Relax Right Now with 5 Super-Simple Stress-BustersStressed-out? Don't know... Read More
Everyone worries. As bothersome as it is, worry isn't all... Read More
Work stress has become a major problem today. The nature... Read More
Stress is normal. Stress is OK. Stress is the same... Read More
"The great lesson from the true mystics, from the Zen... Read More
I'm sure you have heard of IBS, irritable bowel syndrome,... Read More
cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are... Read More
Q: What is Stress?A: Very basically it is the physical,... Read More
Fear, and its accompanying seriousness, causes our suffering. Fear restricts... Read More
Learning methods of stress elimination is a vital skill in... Read More
1. The Mentor Method: think of your favorite person. Someone... Read More
A friend has this quotation on his office wall: "I... Read More
We all know what it feels like to have our... Read More
Every woman needs her own personal space for relaxation, not... Read More
Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More
IntroductionTime magazine called stress the "The Epidemic of the Eighties".... Read More
Looking for some quick stress relief?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
Don't wait to have a life-threatening disease to learn what... Read More
Stress is more than just unpleasant. It's dangerous. Try these... Read More
Worry, big or small blocks positive vibrations from entering your... Read More
Many CEOs see stress as an intractable problem which would... Read More
Living in our world today can be very stressful. While... Read More
Did you know that taking a short trip, such as... Read More
One of the dumbest things I have ever done is... Read More
Adversity is an unavoidable part of life. Death of a... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
Is your stress level higher than it should be? Are... Read More
Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the... Read More
Stress is defined as a response by your body to... Read More
Do you ever feel stressed? Is stress a regular component... Read More
The day wasn't going well already. You know how it... Read More
Stress Management |